Compare towns

Washington vs Killingly vs Chaplin vs Bethlehem

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Washington has the most expensive homes ($660k median).
Killingly has the youngest population (median age 39.5).
Chaplin has the most affordable homes ($255k median).
Bethlehem has the highest household income ($109k).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureWashingtonKillinglyChaplinBethlehem
People
Population
3,676
17,867Highest
2,070Lowest
3,423
Median age
49.9±5.5
21% above CT
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
43.7±4.8
6% above CT
51.5±8.5Highest
25% above CT
Bethlehem and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19%±4.7
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3Highest
CT: 20.2%
15.7%±4.2Lowest
CT: 20.2%
16.3%±4
CT: 20.2%
Killingly and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.9%±5.3Highest
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4Lowest
CT: 18.5%
20.9%±4.4
CT: 18.5%
24.5%±5.3
CT: 18.5%
Washington and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
53.7%Highest
CT: 42.5%
22.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
25.4%
CT: 42.5%
39.2%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.4%±3.3
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9
CT: 7.1%
10.1%±6.2Highest
CT: 7.1%
4.5%±3.1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Chaplin and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$101,549±$16k
6% above CT
$84,350±$8kLowest
12% below CT
$97,846±$14k
about the CT average
$108,929±$16kHighest
14% above CT
Bethlehem and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$660,200±$130kHighest
80% above CT
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$255,200±$24kLowest
30% below CT
$410,900±$36k
12% above CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,204±$264
19% below CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,473±$275Highest
about the CT average
$1,127±$124
24% below CT
Chaplin and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,709
29% below CT
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$4,524
32% below CT
$5,932Highest
11% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
26.1%±24Lowest
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
33.6%±27.7
CT: 52.6%
69.7%±38.5Highest
CT: 52.6%
Bethlehem and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9%
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
5.4%Lowest
CT: 10%
10.4%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79%
CT: 66.5%
71.6%
CT: 66.5%
82.9%Highest
CT: 66.5%
70.2%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971
4 yrs newer than CT
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
1979Highest
12 yrs newer than CT
1976
9 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
4% below CT
28 min
5% above CT
32 minHighest
22% above CT
29 min
9% above CT
Work from home
20.1%±9Highest
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3Lowest
CT: 16%
18.1%±10
CT: 16%
13.9%±5
CT: 16%
Washington and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #17 of 149 in CT #136 of 149 in CT — #82 of 149 in CT
School district Regional School District 12 Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Chaplin School District · Regional School District 11 Regional School District 14
High school in town Shepaug Valley School Killingly High School Parish Hill High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
9.1
11.1Highest
7.5Lowest
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On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet None yet

CT average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.